• Worries
Making decisions based on fear commonly results in the wrong decision being made. This is why demagogues create a climate of fear before presenting a solution to the crowd. In a calm, logical debate, the idea would be shot down due to the risk, the cost or the morality. In a worried frenzy, the offered solution is accepted with little thought at all because it will make the problem and, hopefully, the fear go away.
Stress also falls under this category. Signing a contract under duress typically nullifies the contract, since it is implicitly understood that what one does under duress they would not do on their own.
• Illness
Illness can have a depressive effect. Feeling unwell can also leave adults feeling helpless, dependent and in a child-like state of “you’re OK, I’m not OK”. When the “I’m not OK” is based on the effects of a pathogen, it is a temporary state. However, during this time, the calm and rational adult can succumb to role playing, mind games and demands akin to a whiny child.
Activation of the (seemingly) present-day child-ego can also be caused by deteriorating health. Deteriorating health is often the result of old age. However, deteriorating health caused by underlying conditions like diabetes, muscular dystrophy and other conditions can occur in adults of any age. Activation of the (seemingly) present-day child-ego can follow the realization that the person’s body is failing. The person then mistakenly assumes “I’m not OK”.
When the body is failing, the mind can sometimes remain intact. Yet the failing of the body can result in others taking over the life of the ill person. Managing their finances, controlling their movements, micromanaging relationships and even dictating personal care of someone capable of performing those tasks themselves can occur.
(continued from part I)